Rotary explosive-engine.



0. W. WILLIAMS & H. GARDNER. ROTARY EXPLosIvB ENGINE.

PPLIGATION FILED Nov.16, 1907. n I M'OOS. Patented Jan. 18,1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

-0. 1W. WILLIAMS & W. H. GARDNER.

ROTARY EXPLOSIVE ENGINE. APPLIUATION IILBp Nov. 16, 1907.

Patented Jan. 18, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

www

lO. W. WILLIAMS 61 W. H. GARDNER.

ROTARY BXPLOSIVB ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED 11017.16, 1907.

Patented Jan.1js,1910.

@@OOS.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

i Rotary Explosive-Engines, of which the foltion. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional vien- A further object isto provide an engine .Which `will have great power 1n proportion `carbureter (not shown), and lat 'the op osite srnrgns Parar snaren.

ons vv. WILLIAMS AND' WILLIAM H.. Glimmen, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. y

'Ronny nXrLosIvEfENGINn.

sarees.

specmciion ofLeitersPaxnt. Patentes aan. is, icio.

applicati@ inea Novemrer 1s. 1907. serial No. 40ans.

To all whom it 'may concernf Y Be it known that We, ORNW. WILLIAMS' and WILLIAM H; GARDNER, of MinneapolisA Hennepin county, Minnesota', have Ainvented certain new and useful. Improvementsin .towing is a specification.

The object ofy our invention is to providl a very compact, durable engine and one that is capable of operating at a high speed. L

to the space it occupiesand the diameter oi' its cylinders, and be comparatively economicalin'its consumption'ot' oil.l

The invention consists generally in varions constructions and' combinations, all as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying dra-Wings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 isa trom elevation oi au engine'embodying our inven of an engine embodying` our invention. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectlonal'vievv on the line .az-efe of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is A'an Aend View par tially broken aivay. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line g/-g/"of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is. atransverse sectional view on the line w-fw of Fig. 2,v Figa? is a transverse sectional vien7 on the line a-z of F ig. 2.

In the drawing, 2 represents a cylindrical shell creasing within which the operating parts of the engin/e are inclosed. The middle portion of the casing has an opening 3 covered by plates 4. 'lhese'plates are separable as indicated in Fig. 2, to permit access to the interior of the casing and the Working parts of the --engine. j

is a shaft rigidly mounted-in bearings 6 on standards 7. This shaft is'stationary, the engine and casing revolving around itu A hub 8 is loosely mounted on one end of said shaft and carries a driving pulley. A hub 10 is loosely mounted on the opposite end oit' the shat't and both of these hubs revolve with the casing 2. The shaft 5 has a passage 11 extending therethrough from end to end and communicating at one end with a gasintakepipe 12 leadingfrom a end with a discharge pipe 13. The hu 8 is provided with nteriorly arranged annular grooves 1 5 and vlextendin` around fthe shafty and communicating Wit .the assage 1l through a series of .p orts v17 "end series communicating With-the passage -11 )n one side of a plug-18 and the other series )f 'ports communicating with said passage on the other side of the plug.

Ports 19 and 19 lead from the annular' rro'ove 16 to a' hollow ring` 2O vinclosing the mb 8, and-passages 21 lead from the groove `to a series of pump cylinders which Ive Willdesignate by numerals 22a, 22h, and 22C, there being preferably four of these cyl- -inders Within the casing. Each pump cylinder has a recess 23 in one end with Which' the passages19 and 21 communicate and the pistons 24 of the cylinders have projections .25 -to enter` said recesses and thoroughly e-X- pel all the gas in the cylinders. Valves 26 are-provided in the passages 21and normally close the same but are arranged to openduring the suction stroke of the pump p istons'tofdraw the gasl in through vthe passage 21'. In the passages-19 valves 28 are provided WorKing oppositely from the valves 26, the recess 23 in the pump vcylinders being located between these valves. The suction stroke otthe pump pistons willtherefore open the valves 26. to draw the charge veol in through the passa-ges 21, and on the compression stroke of the pump pistons the charge v Will be forced -past the valves 28 and through the passages 19, grooves 16 and ports 1 7 into the passage 11 in the shaft A portion of the charge will be delivered to the passages 19 and Jfrom thence to the hollow ring 2() and through -passages 2S). into compression cylinders wherein the gas is stored for thepnrpose hereinafter explained. There are-a series of these compressioncylinders which we will designate by numerals 30,602.3@ and 30. The pump pistons are provided with rods 81 arranged 'to slide in guides 32, on the interior ot the casing, andvat the opposite end of said rods fromt-he pump lpistons ive provide explo sion cylinder pistons operating within cylinders 311, 34a. 34h and 31C, arranged within the head 35 of the casing. lhese. explosion cylinders have the usual igniters 36 and intakeports B7-'communicant g with the shaft passage 11. The passage through the shaft is closed by a valve 3S 1which prevents the escape of gasto the atmosphere but will open and relieve the pressure in case there is any accidental ignition of the gas while passing through the shaft to the explosion cylinders. The ends of the -explosion cylinders are connected by pipes 39 with the compressed gas-cylinders 30,303 30b and 30C, and each cylinder has avalve 40 operated by means of a lever L.tl and a rod 4t2 to open the valve il() against the tension of the spring 43 and allo-W the compressed gas to flow from a cylinder into its explosion cylinder, When for instance, it is desired to start the engine without drawing in the gas from the carbureter. The valves 40 are operable by the attendant whenever it is desired to introduce gas to the explosion cylinders. Upon the rods 81 backets 44 are secured and connected to pistons t5 through rods 4:6, said pistons operating in exhaustchainbers et?, 47a. 47h and 4K7". These chambers are connected by passages -lS with the explosion cylinders and the pistons operate,simultaneously with ythe pistons in the explosion chambers. The passages 48 Will be closed at the timeof the explosionbut will be uncovered at a predetermined point in the stroke of the pistons to allow the burned gases to be drawninto the exhaust chambers through the\vacuuin created by the movement of the pistons 45. On the return stroke of these pistons the burned gases will be forced out through the passages 4t!) tliroughthe valves 50 and passages 5l into the hollowT shaft 5 and from thence into the discharge pipe 173.

The reciprocating movement of the pistons is converted into a rotary motion in the cylinder by the following mechanism 52 represents cross heads secured on the rods 3l. 53 represents rings mountedwithin recesses 54 in said cross heads inclosing the shaft 5. The cross heads have openings through which the shaft 5 extends and said heads are free to move back and forth on said shaft. The rings 53 have ribs 55 adapted to enterV spiral grooves 56 on the periph-1 ery of said shaft. A series of ratchet teeth the cross head is moved in one direction but to lock said ring against revolution When the cross head is moved in the other direction. The result of locking the ring against revolution Will be through its engagement with the spiral groove in the shaft to cause the revolution of the cylindrical casing and its driving pulley.

For the purpose of returning the explos i`on and exhaust pistons or performing the compression'part of the stroke I provide ay series of beveled gears 58 pivoted on a sleeve 60 that is loosely mounted on the `shaft 5 and free to turn thereon. A gear 59 is secured on the shaft 5 at right angles to the gears 5S and meshes with each .of them. I

As indicated in Fig. G the gears 5S all mesh with the gear 59 but do not mesh with one another'and are provided with Wrist pins 61 having pitman rods G24 connecting them with the cross heads 52.v The outer ends of the Wrist pins 61 are mounted in cranks G3 journaled in the guides 32 upon the cylinder casing. It will be seen that the stroke of the cross heads is governed by the distance of the Wrist pins from the centers of the gears 5S and the movement of the ge: rs will be utilized to force the pistons into theircylinders and compress the charges of gas therein.- y"

ln the operation of the engine the gas Will be drawn into the passage in the hollow shaft and forced by the action of-the pump plungers 'into the`compressed gas cylinders and through the hollow shaft toward the explo` sion cylinders. The Withdrawal of the pistons in the explosion chambers Will expose the` ports leading thereinto and permit the gas to enter the cylinders in front of the pistons. On the return stroke the gasivill be compressed and ignited. During the sucf tion stroke the burned gases will be drawn into the exhaust cylindersand discharged from the engine.

The reciprocating motion will be converted into a rotary motion by means of the ratchet mechanism and spiral groove in the shaft and the cylinder casing will be revolved at a high 'speed With but little vibration and with the elimination of many of the undesirable features of an ordinaiy reciprocating engine. The parts arel all accessible for cleaning and repairs and the engine (vill be economical to operate and will develop great power in proportion to the size of its cylinders. f

lVe claim as our invention:

l. The combina-tion, With a stationary- `shaft having a spiral formed thereon, of a cylinder having a :reciprocating piston and means connecting said piston with said spira, whereby the reciprocation of the piston will impart a revolving movement to said cylinder.

2. The combination, 'With a stationary shaft having a spiral formed thereon, of a series lof cylinders arranged at intervals around said shaft and having reciproca ting pistons, means connecting said pistons with lua lll)

said spiral whereby the reciprocation of said pistons Will impart a revolving movement to said cylinders.

3. The combination, with a stationary shaft having a spiral formed thereon, of an explosion cylinder having a reciprocating piston, an exhaust cylinder also having a piston and a port coinniunicating with said explosion cylinder and into which exhaust c vlinder the burned gases lare drawn by the movement of its piston, said explosion c vlinder having a gas intake and mechanism connecting said pistons with said spiral, ivhcrcby the reciprocation of said pistons will inipart a revolving movement to said cylinder.

4:. The combination, with a stationary shaft having a spiral formed thereon, of an lio lso.

` shaft having `a spiral formed thereon, of an "ciprocation-of said pistons will impart a re- 'will impart a revolving movement to said ratchet mechanism connecting said piston explosion cyli-nder having a reciprocating piston, a pump-cylinder connected with a source of gas supply and with said explosion cylinder and having. a piston operating simultaneously with said explosion cylinder piston, and mechanism connecting said pis' tons with said spiral wherebythe reciprocation of the pistons will revolvesaid cylinder.

5. The combina-tion, with aV stationary shaft having a spiral' formed thereon, of a series ofexplosioncylinders arranged at intervals around said'sliaft and having reciprocating pistons, av series of pump cylinders also arranged at intervals` around said shaft and having plungers and c oimected with a' source of gas supply and with said explosion cylinders, said explosion cylinder pistons and ysaid plungers being arranged to operate simultaneously, and mechanism connecting said pistons with said spiral, whereby the revolving inovementtd Said cylinders.w Y

G.. Thecombination, with va stationary explosion cylinder having a piston, a pump cylinder'also having a piston and connected with a source of gas supply and with said explosion cylinder, al compressed gaseylinder connected' withsaid pump cylinders; and also. having a pipe connection leading to said explosion cylinders, and a regulating valve-therefor normally closed, and mechanism connecting said pistons with said spiral whereby' the reciprocation ofsaid pistons cylinder. p 7. The combination, with ai stationary shaft having a 'spiral formed thereon, of a cylindeihaving are'ciprocating piston and a" with said spiral whereby during the travel of said piston -in 'one direction a revolving movement wil-l be' imparted to said cylinder. A 8.' The combination, witha stationary shaft having a'spiral groove formed therein, of an explosion vcylinder having a reciprocat4 ing piston, a ring ninelosing said -shaft and having a rib to enter said groove, means conne'cting said ring with sa'id piston, means whereby said ring is allowed to revolve on piston is moved in the opposite direction,

t l whereby a revolving inolvementwill be iin-4 l parted to said4 cylinder.

9. The combination, 'with a I- stationary -shaft having a. spiral groove for1ned therein,

of an explosion cylinder having a reciprocating piston operatlng in a direction parallel-i substantially 1 with, said shaft, mechanism f' connecting said pist/on .with said-shaft, a

engine,

revoluble casing inclosiiig 'said shaft .and a driving pulley secured to said casing. 1Q. The combination, with av stationary shaft having a spiral, of an explosion cylinder havinga piston operativelyf connected with said spiral, a gear secured on said sha-ft, a sleeve on said shaft, la gear mounted on said sleeve and adapted to revolve `therewith and meshing with the gear on said shaft,and means connecting said sleeve gear with said i Operative connections, for the purposev specil1. The combination, with a stationary Yshaft having a spiral, of a series of explosion cylinders arranged at intervals around said shaftl and having a seiies of pistons, mechanism connecting .said pistons with saidspirais, a. gear secured on said shaft atright angles'substantially thereto, a sleeve'looselymounted on said shaft, a series, of gears monuntged onsaidssleeve land meshing with seid iirst named gear, mechanism connectingl said sleeve gears with said pistons and vspiralconnecting mechanism, for the purpose specified.

12. The combi-nation, in a rotary explosive with stationary shaft, a casing inclosing said shaft, a pulley secured to said casing a series of explosion cylinders' arf vranged within said casing at intervals aroundfsaid shaft, pistons for said cylinders operating vin a'- direction parallel with said shaft, series of pump cylinders connected with the source of gas supply and with said explosion cylinders, plungers in said pump cylinders connected with the pistons of said .explosioncylinders and 4also operating ina direction parallelwith said shaft and simultaneously with said pistons, and mechanism connecting said pistons with said shaft, whereby the reciproeation of said pistons and plungers will impart a revolving movement to said casing.-

'13. The combination, with a. stationary shaft having a spiral formed thereon, of ,an cylinder having a reciprocating piston, a casing inclosing said shaft. and wherein said' cylinder is mounted, means connecting said piston. with said spiral whereby the recipro cation of the 'pistonV will. impart a revolving movement to said casing. and a driving pulley connected to said casing, substantially as "described t In witness our hands this lith day of November, 1907.

ORA lV. VILLIA'MS.

n lvll'iLl'h'l Il.' GRDNER.

Titnessesz '5 J. H'. B-ALnwiN,

-v IJ, B. BYINGTON.

l whereof, we have hereunto set -115 

